The Latest: Slain girl’s relatives express sorrow, grief

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Latest on the slaying of a 10-year-old New Mexico girl (all times local):

10:15 a.m.

The grandparents and other relatives of a 10-year-old Albuquerque girl brutally murdered last week clutched each other, wept and shook their heads in disbelief while making their first public statements about Victoria Martens’ death.

They gathered Monday at an Albuquerque park where she loved to play.

Family spokeswoman Laura Bobbs says the family plans to push for stronger laws to stop crimes against children.

They also thanked Albuquerque for an outpouring of support.

Police found Victoria’s battered and dismembered body inside the apartment she shared with her mother Aug. 24 after responding to a pre-dawn disturbance call.

The girl’s mother, boyfriend and boyfriend’s cousin face charges of child abuse resulting in death, kidnapping and tampering with evidence.

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9:33 a.m.

Family members of a 10-year-old Albuquerque girl who police say was raped and brutally murdered will make their first public comments during a news conference at an Albuquerque park where the girl loved to play.

Police found Victoria Martens’ dismembered body inside the apartment she shared with her mother last week after responding to a call about a disturbance.

The girl’s mother, Michelle Martens, was arrested and ordered held on $1 million bond. She, her boyfriend and the boyfriend’s cousin all face charges of child abuse resulting in death, kidnapping and tampering with evidence.

Child welfare officials have said there were no previous cases of violent or sexual abuse involving Victoria and her mother.

The slaying has sent shockwaves through the city, where thousands gathered Sunday for a birthday party in honour of Victoria. The girl turned 10 last week.

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8:45 a.m.

Officials with Albuquerque and Bernalillo County are meeting to discuss ways to better prevent child abuse after a 10-year-old girl was murdered last week.

KOB-TV reports (http://bit.ly/2bwyRhO ) that the officials will meet Tuesday to discuss possible solutions for better drug treatment, mental health services and child abuse prevention in the wake of the death of Victoria Marten, who police say was drugged, raped and murdered last week.

Three people— including the girl’s mother and the mother’s boyfriend — have been arrested in the killing.

The meeting, organized by Bernalillo County Commissioner Debbie O’Malley and Albuquerque City Councilor Klarissa Pena, will also look for funds for more social workers and find ways for schools and law enforcement to work more closely to fight abuse.